9794110

Method and System for Simplifying Distributed Server Management

PublishedOctober 17, 2017
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
20 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method comprising: initiating a system command from a graphical user interface of a virtual server management system interacting with a virtual server client and a plurality of virtual server agents, each virtual server agent running on a respective server; translating the system command to an abstract system command that requests a service from an operating system of at least one of the plurality of servers; receiving the abstract system command at the virtual server client; and instantiating the abstract system command by: identifying, by the virtual server client, a target server to receive the abstract system command and a corresponding virtual server agent associated with the target server, transmitting the abstract system command to the virtual server agent for the identified target server for translation of the abstract system command into an operating-system-specific system command for execution on the target server, executing the operating-system-specific system command under permissions determined as a function of the target server, and receiving execution results from the virtual server agent.

Plain English Translation

A method for managing servers involves a user initiating a command via a GUI that interacts with a virtual server client. This command is translated into an abstract system command (a generic request). The virtual server client then identifies the specific server targeted by the command and transmits the abstract command to a virtual server agent running on that server. The agent translates the abstract command into an operating-system-specific command, executes it on the target server, and returns the results to the client.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein instantiating the abstract system command under permissions determined as a function of the target server includes: mapping a user identity for a user of the graphical user interface to an associated local user identity for the target server; and executing the operating-system-specific system command using the local user identity on the target server.

Plain English Translation

The server management method (as described previously) ensures secure execution by mapping the user's GUI identity to a corresponding local user account on the target server. The operating-system-specific command is then executed using this local user identity, effectively running the command with the permissions of the mapped user on that specific server.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein instantiating the abstract system command further includes authorizing the abstract system command for the local user identity based on at least one of a role-based access control model and an access control list.

Plain English Translation

Building upon the previous secure execution method, the abstract system command is further authorized for the local user identity on the target server using either a role-based access control model (RBAC) or an access control list (ACL). This means that even after mapping the user identity, the command's execution is subject to additional authorization checks based on predefined roles or specific access rights associated with the local user on the server.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the mapping occurs as a function of the user identity, the target server, and a role associated with the user identity.

Plain English Translation

The user identity mapping (described in previous claims) depends not only on the user's identity from the GUI but also on the specific target server and the role associated with the user. This allows for different user mappings on different servers or for different roles, providing more granular control over access permissions. For example, a user might be mapped to an administrator account on one server but a standard user account on another, depending on their role.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target server is a first target server, the virtual server agent is a first virtual server agent, and the operating-system-specific command is a first operating-system-specific command and instantiating the abstract system command further includes: identifying a second target server to receive the abstract system command and a corresponding second virtual server agent associated with the second target server; transmitting the abstract system command to the corresponding second virtual server agent, the abstract system command being translated into second operating-system-specific commands appropriate for the second target server; and receiving execution results from the first virtual server agent and from the second virtual server agent.

Plain English Translation

Expanding on the initial method, the virtual server client can send the abstract command to multiple target servers. A first server receives the abstract command, which is translated into a first OS-specific command. Simultaneously, a second server receives the *same* abstract command, but it's translated into a *different* second OS-specific command suitable for *that* server. Execution results from *both* servers are received, allowing for parallel execution across heterogeneous environments.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein permissions used to execute the first operating-system: specific commands and the second operating-system: specific commands differ between the first target server and the second target server.

Plain English Translation

In the multi-server execution scenario described previously, the permissions used to execute the operating-system-specific commands differ between the first and second target servers. This accounts for security policies and configurations that vary between servers, even when executing the same abstract command.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first target server and the second target server have different operating systems.

Plain English Translation

The first and second target servers (as described in previous claims) can have different operating systems. This highlights the system's ability to handle a heterogeneous server environment, translating a single abstract command into operating-system-specific commands appropriate for each server's unique OS.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. A system comprising: a plurality of servers, each server running a respective virtual server agent; a virtual server management system interacting with a virtual server client, the virtual server management system initiating a system command from a graphical user interface and translating the system command to an abstract system command that requests a service from an operating system of at least one of the plurality of servers; and a server running the virtual server client, the virtual server client being configured to: receive the abstract system command, and instantiate the abstract system command by: identifying a target server to receive the abstract system command and a corresponding virtual server agent associated with the target server, transmitting the abstract system command to the virtual server agent for the identified target server for translation of the abstract system command into an operating-system-specific system command for execution on the target server, and receiving execution results from the virtual server agent, wherein the operating-system-specific system command is executed on the target server under permissions determined as a function of the target server.

Plain English Translation

A server management system comprises multiple servers, each running a virtual server agent. A virtual server management system interacts with a virtual server client. This management system initiates a command from a GUI, translating it into an abstract system command that requests a service from at least one of the servers. The virtual server client receives the abstract command, identifies the target server, and transmits the abstract command to the corresponding virtual server agent on that server. The agent translates the abstract command into an operating-system-specific command, which is executed on the target server under permissions determined as a function of the target server. Execution results are received from the agent.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the system command is a first abstract system command and the virtual server client is further configured to: receive a second abstract system command; and aggregate the first abstract system command and the second abstract system command into a high-level abstract system command.

Plain English Translation

Building on the server management system described previously, the virtual server client can receive multiple abstract commands (a first and a second) and combine them into a single, high-level abstract system command. This allows for the grouping and execution of related tasks as a single unit.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the virtual server client is implemented by a network-aware code library.

Plain English Translation

The virtual server client (part of the server management system) is implemented as a network-aware code library. This suggests it's designed to communicate and interact with other components over a network, likely using protocols like TCP/IP.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein identifying the target server includes identifying a target virtual server agent running on the target server to receive the abstract system command in response to a server identifier included in the abstract system command.

Plain English Translation

When identifying the target server to receive the abstract command, the virtual server client uses a server identifier included in the abstract command to locate the appropriate virtual server agent running on that server. This identifier acts as an address, ensuring the command is routed to the correct destination.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the target server is a first target server, the virtual server agent is a first virtual server agent, and the operating-system-specific command is a first operating-system-specific command and the virtual server client is further configured to instantiate the abstract system command by: identifying a second target server to receive the abstract system command and a corresponding second virtual server agent associated with the second target server; transmitting the abstract system command to the corresponding second virtual server agent, the abstract system command being translated into a second operating-system-specific command appropriate for the second target server; and receiving execution results from the first virtual server agent and from the second virtual server agent.

Plain English Translation

In the server management system, the virtual server client can send the abstract command to multiple target servers. It identifies a first and second target server, transmitting the abstract command to both. The abstract command is translated into operating-system-specific commands appropriate for *each* server. The client then receives execution results from both the first and second virtual server agents.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein permissions used to execute the first operating-system-specific command and the second operating-system-specific command differ between the first target server and the second target server.

Plain English Translation

In the multi-server execution scenario (as described), the permissions used to execute the OS-specific commands differ between the first and second target servers. This respects server-specific security policies even while executing the same abstract command.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein at least two of the plurality of servers have different operating systems.

Plain English Translation

Within the server management system, at least two of the managed servers have different operating systems. This highlights the system's capability to handle heterogeneous environments.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The system of claim 8 , wherein prior to transmitting the abstract system command, the virtual server client is further configured to specify at least one of priority of the abstract system command on the target server, CPU utilization of the abstract system command on the target server, and memory utilization of the abstract system command on the target server.

Plain English Translation

Before transmitting the abstract command to the target server, the virtual server client can specify the command's priority, CPU utilization, and memory utilization on that server. This allows for resource management and control over the command's execution on each target.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The system of claim 8 , wherein executing the operating-system-specific system command under permissions determined as a function of the target server includes: mapping a user identity for a user of the graphical user interface to an associated local user identity for the target server; and executing the operating-system-specific system command using the local user identity on the target server.

Plain English Translation

The execution of the OS-specific command uses permissions specific to the target server by mapping the user's GUI identity to a local user identity on that server. The OS-specific command then executes with the permissions of that local user account.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein prior to transmitting the abstract system command, the method further comprises specifying at least one of priority of the abstract system command on the target server, CPU utilization of the abstract system command on the target server, and memory utilization of the abstract system command on the target server.

Plain English Translation

Before transmitting the abstract system command, the priority, CPU utilization, or memory utilization on the target server is specified. The parameters dictate execution resources, providing control for individual server performance.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. A virtual server comprising: a virtual server management system; a virtual server client; and a plurality of servers each running a virtual server agent, the virtual server management system including instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the virtual server management system to perform operations including: receiving, from a graphical user interface, a system command that requests a service from an operating system of at least one of the plurality of servers, and translating the system command to an abstract system command; and the virtual server client including instructions that, when executed by at least one processor cause the virtual server client to perform operations including: receiving the abstract system command; and instantiating the abstract system command by: identifying a target server to receive the abstract system command and a corresponding virtual server agent associated with the target server, transmitting the abstract system command to the virtual server agent for the identified target server for translation of the abstract system command into an operating-system-specific system command for execution on the target server, executing the operating-system-specific system command under permissions determined as a function of the target server, receiving execution results from the virtual server agent, and providing the execution results to the virtual server management system.

Plain English Translation

A virtual server includes a virtual server management system, a client, and multiple servers each running a virtual server agent. The management system receives commands via a GUI and translates them to abstract system commands. The client receives the abstract commands, identifies target servers and sends commands to agents, the agents translate commands into OS-specific commands, execute them, and return results to the management system.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein executing the operating-system-specific system command under permissions determined as a function of the target server includes: mapping a user identity for a user of the graphical user interface to an associated local user identity for the target server; and executing the operating-system-specific system command using the local user identity on the target server.

Plain English Translation

The previously mentioned virtual server ensures commands run with proper permissions on individual servers by mapping a user identity from the GUI to a local user identity on the target server. The operating-system-specific command then executes using the local user identity.

Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein prior to transmitting the abstract system command, the operations further include specifying at least one of priority of the abstract system command on the target server, CPU utilization of the abstract system command on the target server, and memory utilization of the abstract system command on the target server.

Plain English Translation

The virtual server allows control over command execution resources. Prior to transmission of an abstract command, the virtual server allows specifying the priority, CPU utilization, or memory utilization of the command on the target server. This enables optimization and control over server resources.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

October 17, 2017

Inventors

Thomas M. Kraus
Vijay G. Manwani
Sekhar Muddana

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Cite as: Patentable. “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SIMPLIFYING DISTRIBUTED SERVER MANAGEMENT” (9794110). https://patentable.app/patents/9794110

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METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SIMPLIFYING DISTRIBUTED SERVER MANAGEMENT